Comparison of fetal cardiac functions between small-for-gestational age fetuses and late-onset growth-restricted fetuses

Assessment of fetal cardiac morphology and functional changes in early-onset and late-onset fetal growth restriction

OBJECTIVE

To compare the fetal cardiac morphology and functions of early-onset fetal growth restriction (EO-FGR) and late-onset fetal growth restriction (LO-FGR) groups with gestational weeks-matched controls.

METHODS

A total of 164 pregnant women were included, 28 of whom were in the EO-FGR group, 54 in the LO-FGR group, and 82 in the control group. Fetal echocardiographic evaluation was performed with two-dimensional, M-mode, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and pulsed wave Doppler.

RESULTS

Fetal cardiac morphologic measurements and diastolic and systolic functions changed in EO-FGR and LO-FGR fetuses compared with controls. The EO- and LO-FGR fetuses had reduced right and left cardiac output, increased myocardial performance index, and significantly higher mitral and tricuspid E/E' ratios compared with controls. The EO-FGR fetuses had lower mitral and tricuspid E and E' values. In LO-FGR fetuses, mitral and tricuspid E' values were lower than in their controls (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). On the other hand, the mitral and tricuspid E values were not significantly changed (P = 0.107 and P = 0.196).

CONCLUSION

We hypothesized that EO-FGR and LO-FGR fetuses had insufficient myocardial maturation. Especially in the LO-FGR fetuses, TDI is the earliest and most sensitive technique to show subtle changes in fetal cardiac functions.

Role of myocardial performance index (MPI) and cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) in predicting adverse perinatal outcome

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the association of the Myocardial Performance Index (MPI) and Cerebro-Placental Ratio (CPR) in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in fetuses who are appropriately-grown (AGA), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and growth restricted (FGR).

METHODS

Singleton pregnancies were recruited after 24 weeks. The patients were recruited after having been classified as AGA (AC/EFW > 10th centile), SGA (AC/EFW-3rd-10th centile without doppler abnormalities), and FGR (AC/EFW < 3rd centile or 3rd-10th centile with doppler abnormalities). A total of 103 cases comprising 48 AGA, 11 SGA, and 44 FGRfetuses were recruited. The Pulsatility Index of the Umbilical artery, Middle cerebral artery, Ductus Venosus, and Aortic Isthmus was obtained. MPI and CPR were calculated too. The primary outcome was to evaluate the predictive value of MPI and CPR for the composite adverse perinatal outcome.

RESULTS

The mean gestational age of recruitment was 30 weeks. The OR for Composite Adverse Perinatal Outcome in FGR group for MPI > .47 and CPR < 1.67 was 3.48 (95% CI: 1.00-12.24, p-value < .05) with sensitivity and specificity of 65% each and 11.08 (95% CI: 2.62-46.83, p-value = .001) with the sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 70%, respectively. When combined together, MPI and CPR yielded an OR of 58.5 (95% CI: 4.58-746.57, p-value = .002) with a sensitivity of 56.5% and specificity of 95% in the FGR group.

CONCLUSIONS

MPI in conjunction with CPR can be used together to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in FGR.

Fetal epicardial fat thickness in fetal growth restriction; effects on fetal heart function and relationship with the severity of disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) value in fetal growth restriction (FGR) and its relationship with clinical parameters, fetal modified myocardial index (Mod-MPI), and the Doppler parameters.

MATERIAL METHODS

Eighty-five pregnant women, with 30 diagnosed with FGR and 55 healthy pregnant women as control group participated in this prospective case-control study. FGR group was divided into 2 subgroups as early (n = 9) and late FGR (n = 21) groups. Demographic data were taken from the medical records. Amnion fluid value, fetal biometric measurements, and Doppler parameters were obtained. Fetal EFT and fetal Mod-MPI were measured by using the echocardiographic methods. The correlation tests were performed to assess the association between EFT and clinical and ultrasonographic parameters. p < .05 was interpreted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

EFT value was found statistically lower in the early and late FGR groups than the control group (p = .003). Higher umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) and lower cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) values were found in the early and late FGR (p < .001, p = .001). The optimal EFT cutoff level to predict FGR disease was measured as 1.25 with 63.3% specificity and 77.4% sensitivity. Lower ejection time (ET) and higher Mod-MPI and isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) values were found in the group FGR with absent UAEDF than in the group FGR with no absent UAEDF (p = .001, p < .000, p < .000, respectively). Correlation tests showed statistically negative and weak correlations among EFT, umbilical artery PI, and mean Ut A-PI (p = .019, p = .019). Positive correlations were found in regard to gestational age, EFW, and EFT (p = .002, p < .000).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the measurement of EFT may contribute to predicting the diagnosis of FGR. Moreover, lower EFT values can be related to the severity of FGR. Future randomized control studies are needed to understand the effects and pathways of fetal EFT on fetal cardiac function.